image via gosmoky.wordpress.com

Fireflies at Elkmont planning their annual show in the Smoky Mountains « GoSmoky.com

“Wha WA?!!!

Fireflies planning a show… REALLY!

I’m 27 and I’ve never heard of such an amazing thing.  That pictures photoshopped right?!”

These are the initial thoughts that ran through my brain as I read this post on Elkmont, TN.  Then the feverish internet search on Elkmont Fireflies began!

How did I even come across such a post?   Well as a contributor to www.WeAreGreen.TV based out of Asheville our twitter account @WeAreGreen.tv was followed by @GoSmoky. @GoSmoky sent us a direct message via twitter to visit gosmoky.wordpress.com for the latest Smokies info.  Like a good little tweeter I did just that and wellah my world has expanded to the knowledge that fireflies put on a show… and it’s this huge event… and it happens next week… and we live close enough to GO!  99.59 miles to be exact

I think Fireflies are the best insects (a.k.a. “flying Tinkerbell’s” to the 7yr old in my brain) EVER!

To some I may sound maybe a little bit overexcited about “flying insects” and you have no idea.   I feel about as excited as if I was 7yrs old and you told me we were going to Disney World in a motor home.  I love nature especially the parts that glow!  Hopefully we will be able to plan this trip and go next week, if so watch out … you’ll have Fireflie photos comin out the wazuu!

Quick facts and tips that I’ve gathered:

1. 2009 dates are estimated June 6-14
2. This happen once a year in only 2 places on earth:  Elkmont being one, somewhere in China the other
3. Mating ritual includes time when they flash in unison.
   
4. Unless a camper the only way in is by Trolleys from Gatlinburg pick up visitors from parking area at Sugarlands Visitors Center and take them to Elkmont, from 6 p.m. to return time 11 p.m.  Cost $1 for the round trip!
5. Get to the parking lot early to catch a trolley,  typically fills up on weeknights by 8:30 -  aim for 7:00-7:30 on weekends.
6. Coolers aren’t allowed but chairs & small backpacks are OK.
7. No need to walk 1/2 mile up the trail, some of the best displays are just 50-100 yards from the trail head, on the left.
8. Bring a tripod for your camera
9. It is the Smoky’s so that means bears.
10. BRING A FLASHLIGHT! It’s dark in the woods, the rangers meet you at park entrance and give you red cellophane to place over your flashlight.
11. “The best time to go is if its rained earlier in the day and then stopped by the time you venture out, as the fireflies love the extra-moist air. A volunteer ranger told me that Wed. night’s show, following a shower that day, was “four times better than last night’s.” She said that it was so beautiful that she had to walk away from the information table into the woods for a minute so she could cry.” quote and many tips via: kamoshika